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actuate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of actuate

1 to cause to function

  • a light actuated by a motion detector
  • the alarm system actuates the door locks
Synonyms of actuate

activate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off, spark, start, touch off, trigger, turn on
Words Related to actuate

kick over, turn over

charge, electrify, energize, fire, fuel, generate, power, push

discharge, launch, release, switch, trip

reactivate, recharge

arouse, excite, jump-start, kick-start, stimulate, vitalize

ignite, incite, instigate, provoke, quicken, stir up

accelerate, catalyze, speed (up), step up
Near Antonyms of actuate

arrest, brake, check, cut off, draw up, halt, jam, stall, stick, stop

decelerate, repress, slow, stunt, suppress
Antonyms of actuate

cut, cut out, deactivate, kill, shut off, turn off

2 to set or keep in motion

  • hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear
Synonyms of actuate

drive, impel, move, propel, work
Words Related to actuate

activate, motivate, provoke

abet, ferment, foment, incite, raise, stir (up), whip (up)

set off, trigger, trip

arouse, excite, fire (up), galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, instigate, rouse, stimulate
Near Antonyms of actuate

bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain

Synonym Discussion of actuate

move, actuate, drive, impel mean to set or keep in motion. move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.
    • moved the furniture
actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.
    • turbines actuated by waterpower
drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.
    • a ship driven aground by hurricane winds
impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.
    • a candidate impelled by ambition

Learn More about actuate

  1. See words that rhyme with actuate Dictionary: Definition of actuate Nglish: Translation of actuate for Spanish speakers

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